Body Size and the Growth of Maximal Aerobic Power in Children: A Longitudinal Analysis

Adjustment of V02max for changes in body size is important in evaluating aerobic fitness in children. It is important, therefore, to understand the normal relationship between changes V0,max and body size during growth. Over the course of 5 years, 20 children (11 boys, 9 girls) underwent annual maximal treadmill testing to determine V0,max. The mean longitudinal allometric scaling exponent for V0,max relative to body mass (M) was 1.10 f 0.30 in the boys and 0.78 + 0.28 in the girls (p < .05). Respective cross-sectional values were 0.53 + 0.08 and 0.65 f 0.03. V0,max expressed relative to MIo, M075, and MW1 rose during the 5 years in the boys, but not the girls. Significant gender differences remained when V0,max was related to lean body mass. These findings suggest (a) factors other than body size affect the development of V02max in children, and (b) gender differences exist in V0,max during childhood which are independent of body composition.